Star Wars: Celebrities attend Hollywood premiere of long-awaited instalment The Force Awakens

Harrison Ford lends his John Hancock to a prop.

Jeff Bock, an analyst at box office tracker Exhibitor Relations, said “this is probably the biggest opening in decades”.

While back on Twitter another film fan added: “Star Wars premiere just letting out now. Stars Wars fans, this is the movie you’re looking for”. If, like me, you can’t go to see it this week you’re going to have a task on your hands trying to avoid spoilers.

“We expect it to become the biggest film of all time, and (it) promises to be a landmark cinematic event”, he said.

The star-studded premiere also saw new actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Max von Sydow, Gwendolyn Christie walk the red carpet.

It is one of the most highly-anticipated films of the year and fans have remained cautiously optimistic about Episode VII – The Force Awakens after being disappointed by the string of prequels.

Harrison Ford hopes “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” lives up to expectation.

Other franchise newcomers include Oscar victor Lupita Nyong’o, who plays Maz Kanata, a motion-captured pirate character whose castle is packed with smugglers from across the galaxy.

Amid the manic Star Wars fever following the release of the blockbuster sci-fi saga’s latest installment, Emirates have announced a plan created to attract potential die-hard fans of the movie.

Actors Chadwick Boseman and Sarah Hyland and director Steven Spielberg were among the Hollywood stars who attended what could be the largest Hollywood premiere ever. The plot is a closely guarded secret with all reviews embargoed for now.

“Everyone knows we keep it secret for the right reasons”, Ridley said.

“I want to know what they have been up to before the events of the movie”.

Is Darth Vader really dead?

Patton Oswalt said “The Force Awakens” represented a return to what made him fall in love with “Star Wars” in the first place. “It’s insane. I feel enormously guilty for this community, this neighbourhood”. “I had the same feeling as when I would watch these films as a kid”. It’s owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.